By Helena Smolak

Sanofi is scheduled to report results for the fourth quarter on Thursday. Here is what you need to know.

SALES FORECAST: Analysts expect the French pharmaceutical giant to report fourth-quarter sales of 10.39 billion euros ($10.90 billion), according to a Vara Research poll. This compares with 10.92 billion euros in sales the company reported for the same period of 2023.

BUSINESS OPERATING PROFIT FORECAST: Business operating profit--one of the company's preferred metrics, which strips out exceptional items--is forecast at 2.08 billion euros, according to the Vara Research consensus. Sanofi reported a business operating profit of 2.58 billion euros in the year-earlier period.

As of Tuesday afternoon in Europe, the stock is up 1.5% and more than 12% over the last 12 months.

WHAT TO WATCH

--Buyback: Investors welcome clarity on timing and size of the confirmed buyback stemming from the sale of its Opella consumer business, Jefferies says. Jefferies analysts estimate the buyback amount around 8 billion euros.

--Metrics: The Paris-based group could provide a sales growth target for the first time, alongside its earnings per share growth forecast, Jefferies says.

--Pipeline: Blockbuster anti-inflammatory drug Dupixent--a key growth driver developed jointly by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals--is expected to get a boost from ongoing U.S. prescription growth. Beyond its products, investors will look at Sanofi's longer-term R&D spending growth given the likely expansion of its late-stage immunology pipeline into 2026-2027, Berenberg analysts say.

Write to Helena Smolak at helena.smolak@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 28, 2025 09:20 ET (14:20 GMT)

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